Statements by the two main political parties with regard to gay marriage illustrate how the rights of homosexuals are “never high on the political agenda”, Aditus Director Neil Falzon told The Malta Independent.

His comments come after Prime Minister Joseph Muscat declared that it is the time for a discussion on the introduction of gay marriage, despite the fact that Civil Unions introduced in 2014 have been universally accepted as gay marriage in all but name. The Prime Minister brought up the issue in the midst of one of the biggest scandals his government has been embroiled in, involving Energy and Health Minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri.

Both were found to own companies registered in Panama and contained within a trust registered in New Zealand. Panama has been labelled as a ‘non-cooperative tax jurisdiction,’ meaning that its lack of financial regulation and heavy secrecy make the country a perfect place for money laundering and tax evasion.

Shortly after the news broke, Dr Muscat seemingly used the issue of gay marriage as means to divert attention away from the scandal. In response to the call for discussion, the Opposition said that the name of the Civil Union Act should just be changed to marriage, since the civil unions legislation already gives couples the same rights and duties as those invoked by civil marriages.

After both sides of the house came out in support of introducing gay marriage, this newsroom turned to Aditus, a rights-based advocacy NGO in order to gauge their reaction and see whether they felt the issue has been used as a political football:

“I don’t want to go into the political element of the Prime Minister’s declaration and the Opposition’s reaction. Even when looking at the Opposition, first there was a big issue made of civil unions and now they are in favour. I think that there is an element of both sides playing with an issue that is so important to so many people – again from both sides.”

“I will not comment on the political element, however what I do wish to say is that the Prime Minister’s declaration, as well as the Opposition’s statement shows how this type of person is never high on the politician’s agenda, this type of person is used for a political game, from one side and the other.

“[Their] comments indicate how human rights are rarely on the top of national agendas, but tend to be used as political tools. Without entering into a political assessment of what was said, and why, we now challenge Government and Opposition to convert their bold statements into action and legislation for marriage equality as soon as possible.”

“Obviously we are very content with the fact that Dr Muscat and Dr Busuttil celebrated this policy. We welcome their statement; but now we want to see the follow up. It is not just a question of ‘for or against,’ if both are in agreement then present the law so that we can move forward. Translate you words into action. Show the people who are affected by this decision that you really mean what you say, and that it was not just thrown out there to divert intention. We want concrete action.”

This newsroom contacted the Malta Gay Rights Movement in order to gauge their reaction as to whether this issue has indeed been used as a political football. Coordinator of MGRM Gabi Calleja said that she fully endorses the comments provided by Dr Falzon. In comments to other sections of the press, she came out in full support of seeing the politicians words be passed into law.

Christian LGBTI group Drachma declines to comment because they “concluded that as Drachma we prefer not to take a position on the issue because of its partisan nature.”